Arsenal are being linked with a move for Belgian attacker Yannick Carrasco, who might return to Europe after his spell in the Chinese Super League.
Carrasco has admitted that he has an offer on his table to get back to Europe, after having struggled to adapt to life personally in China.
Coincidentally, Arsenal have been heavily linked with the Belgian as per reports from the Sun.
The Gunners were monitoring Carrasco in the January transfer window, but chose to sign Denis Suarez from Barcelona on a loan deal.
Emery is expected to add a couple of attackers, and Carrasco’s change in heart and willingness to return to Europe bodes well for the Gunners who need quality additions this summer.
Arsenal will have to do something about his salary which is £8.8million per year, though they should be able to free up some wages if they decide to sell Mesut Ozil.
Yannick Carrasco: Profile
Carrasco emerged through the youth ranks of Belgian outfit Genk and was then prised away by French side Monaco in 2010. He cemented his place in Monaco’s senior side after consistent performances for their B team.
In the summer of 2015, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid signed him, and despite faring well at the Spanish capital, he surprisingly switched to Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang along with Nicolas Gaitan.
Despite his off-field issues, the 25-year-old scored 11 goals in 31 games for the Blue Hawks.
Carrasco has also represented the Belgian national side 31 times, and was in their World Cup squad last year when they finished third.
Is Yannick Carrasco what Arsenal need?
Capable of plying his trade on either wing, Carrasco is an impressive player who has blistering speed to get past defenders. He can stretch defences with his turn of pace on the flanks, while his ability to cut back in also tests defences as it wrong-foots players.
Diego Simeone made good use of Carrasco’s workrate, and that’s something Emery can replicate if Arsenal are able to land the Belgian.
The former Atletico attacker is also a good dribbler of the ball, and can create something out of nothing in games where the Gunners come up against a mean and rigid defence.
Still only 25, Carrasco has a lot of time on his hands and his peak years ahead of him. A move to the Premier League would suit the player as well.
Arsenal have lacked quality on the wings, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi performing inconsistently last season.
Emery needs to add some freshness, and Carrasco has shown in the past that he can provide the spark that the Gunners need to move forward next season.
